State to name overpass for Dawson

Saturday

May 31, 2014 at 1:06 AMMay 31, 2014 at 1:06 AM

By The Examiner staff

The state of Missouri will honor one of Kansas City’s most beloved sports figures.

“Lenny the Cool brought us a Super Bowl victory for those of us old enough to remember that,” said state Sen. Paul LeVota, referring to Len Dawson, named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl IV, when the Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-7.

The Stadium Drive bridge over Interstate 435 will be named for Dawson, just as the Blue Ridge Cut-Off bridge over I-70 is named for George Brett, LeVota said.

LeVota spoke Friday morning at an Independence Chamber of Commerce legislative update, where he also said the state will have a task force to look at the possibility of attracting a Super Bowl to Arrowhead Stadium. The NFL has opened up that competition to cold-weather cities with open-air stadiums, such as this year’s game, played in New Jersey.